SwitchPoint retreat returns to Saxapahaw

By Times-News

Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 06:37 PM.

SAXAPAHAW — The third annual two-day SwitchPoint conference, retreat and concert in the Haw River Ballroom starts Thursday at 8 a.m.

The conference brings together hundreds of people from different fields to talk about technology and its impact on people, global education, global health, design, activism, security, surveillance and collaboration between business and activists among other things.

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is Clive Thompson, a technology writer who contributes to the New York Times Magazine and writes a column for Wired. He has a new book, “Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better.”

Other speakers come from international nonprofits, Pfizer, IBM and the World Bank. There will also be musicians and other performers. There are more than 40 speakers from 15 countries- including some locals like Kevin Meehan, farmer, hydroelectric-facility operator and inventor of a portable hand-washing device called the “Use-Yer-Foot” sink.

Chapel Hill-based nongovernmental organization IntraHealth International puts the conference on. IntraHealth works to improve health in developing countries by supporting health workers with ideas and training.

The conference gives people from different fields a chance to learn about each other’s work and make connections that could help with future efforts.

SAXAPAHAW — The third annual two-day SwitchPoint conference, retreat and concert in the Haw River Ballroom starts Thursday at 8 a.m.

The conference brings together hundreds of people from different fields to talk about technology and its impact on people, global education, global health, design, activism, security, surveillance and collaboration between business and activists among other things.

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is Clive Thompson, a technology writer who contributes to the New York Times Magazine and writes a column for Wired. He has a new book, “Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better.”

Other speakers come from international nonprofits, Pfizer, IBM and the World Bank. There will also be musicians and other performers. There are more than 40 speakers from 15 countries- including some locals like Kevin Meehan, farmer, hydroelectric-facility operator and inventor of a portable hand-washing device called the “Use-Yer-Foot” sink.

Chapel Hill-based nongovernmental organization IntraHealth International puts the conference on. IntraHealth works to improve health in developing countries by supporting health workers with ideas and training.

The conference gives people from different fields a chance to learn about each other’s work and make connections that could help with future efforts.

Discussions at last year’s conference ranged from the cutting edge possibilities of 3D printing human organs for transplant to teaching nurses how to repair motorcycle engines for transportation in undeveloped regions.

Tickets run from $60 to $250. To learn more or register visit switchpointideas.com.